Tag: Heating

Find out your boiler’s serial number

The easiest way to find out the age of your boiler is to look for its serial number. A serial number is a long sequence of numbers & letters that are unique to that boiler. The number can be found in a few different places such as a drop-down front panel, the side or underneath the boiler. If you have the installation manual then it will likely be in there.

If these tips don’t help, here are a few more pointers to help you locate your boiler’s serial number:

1. Inside the Boiler Cabinet: In some cases, the serial number can be found inside the boiler cabinet, usually on a sticker or a metal plate. You may need to remove the boiler cover to access it, so be sure to follow safety guidelines and turn off the power to the boiler before doing so.
2. Owner’s Manual: If you have the owner’s manual that came with your boiler, the serial number is often documented there. Manuals can be a valuable resource for boiler information and maintenance instructions.
3. Online Resources: In this digital age, some manufacturers may provide online tools or databases where you can input your boiler’s model and serial number to retrieve specific information about your unit. This can be a convenient way to access important data.
4. Contact the Manufacturer: If you’re unable to find the serial number or need additional information about your boiler, don’t hesitate to reach out to the boiler manufacturer’s customer support. They can guide you through the process of locating the serial number and provide assistance in identifying your boiler’s age and specifications.

How old is my Worcester Bosch?

Unfortunately, Worcester Bosch’s serial numbers were designed for internal use only. You’ll need to contact their support team on 0330 123 3366. Or, if you know the fuel type, boiler type and model name then you can use the official industry database. It won’t give you the exact date for your boiler but it will be pretty close.

There are some additional steps you can take:

1. Contact Customer Support: As mentioned in the article, the best way to determine the age of your Worcester Bosch boiler is to contact their support team at 0330 123 3366. They have access to the necessary information and can provide you with the age of your boiler.
2. Industry Database: If you have details like the fuel type, boiler type, and model name, you can use the official industry database to get an approximate age for your boiler. While it may not provide the exact date, it can give you a close estimate.
3. Boiler Documents: Check any paperwork you have related to your Worcester Bosch boiler, such as the installation or service records. Sometimes, these documents may contain information about the date of installation or service, which can help estimate the boiler’s age.

Do you have a Baxi boiler, Vaillant boiler, Vokera boiler or an Ideal boiler?

We can assist you straight away and provide you with the age of your boiler in an instant.

How old is my Baxi?

If your boiler was manufactured after 2003, the 4th and 5th digits in the serial number represent the year, and the 6th and 7th digits represent the week number within that year. E.g if the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th digits read: 0610, the manufacture date is the 10th week in 2006. If your boiler is older than 2003, you can contact Baxi with your serial number at 0330 678 0917.

Here’s some more information for Baxi boiler owners:

1. Interpreting the Serial Number: If you’re not sure how to interpret the serial number, here’s a breakdown. Let’s say the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th digits of your Baxi boiler’s serial number are 0610. This indicates that the boiler was manufactured in the 10th week of 2006.
2. Contact Baxi: If your Baxi boiler predates 2003 or you have trouble deciphering the serial number, you can contact Baxi directly at 0330 678 0917. They will be able to assist you in determining your boiler’s age.
3. Keep Records: It’s a good practice to keep records of your boiler’s serial number and other important information in a safe place. This makes it easier to access details when needed, especially if you require service or maintenance.

How old is my Vaillant?

A sticker is usually found either on the boiler itself or inside the front panel. When you find the serial number, go to the 3rd and 4th numbers of the serial code, and this will be the year the boiler was manufactured. E.g. if the 3rd digit is 0 and the 4th digit is 1, this means this boiler was manufactured in 2001.

Here are some extra tips to locate Vaillant Boilers serial number if the above given method doesn’t work

Locating the Serial Number:

The first step is to locate the serial number of your Vaillant boiler. Typically, you’ll find a sticker either on the boiler itself or inside the front panel. The sticker contains important information about your boiler, including the serial number.

Deciphering the Serial Number:

Once you’ve found the serial number, you can use it to determine the year of manufacture. The relevant information is usually found in the 3rd and 4th digits of the serial code. These digits represent the year the boiler was manufactured.

Example: For instance, if the 3rd digit in your Vaillant boiler’s serial number is 0, and the 4th digit is 1, this means that the boiler was manufactured in the year 2001.

Contacting Vaillant:

If you encounter any difficulties locating the serial number or need further assistance, don’t hesitate to contact Vaillant’s customer support. They can provide guidance on how to find the serial number and help you determine the age of your boiler.

Keep Records:

It’s always a good practice to keep a record of your boiler’s serial number and the date of manufacture for future reference. This information can be helpful when scheduling maintenance or when selling your property.

By following these steps, you can easily determine the age of your Vaillant boiler and gain a better understanding of its history. Knowing the age of your boiler is essential for maintenance and ensuring it continues to operate efficiently.

How old is my Ideal boiler?

Refer to the Benchmark Certificate that can be found within the installation manual. If this isn’t available, the boiler age can be determined by the serial number which can be found underneath, or on top of the boiler. There are 3 different types of serial codes:

Ideal Logic/Ideal M Series boilers: The very end code will be the manufacture date. Pre-2015 boilers are dated in the following format: YY/MM/DD, post-2015 boilers are dated following the normal UK format: DD/MM/YY

Ideal Classic: The 3rd cluster of numbers represents the year and week of the boiler being manufactured. E.g. if the 3rd cluster of numbers was 0612, the manufacture date was in the 12th week of 2016.

Ideal Mini: Go to the last 4 digits, which represent the month and year the boiler was manufactured. E.g. if the last 4 digits are 0308, the boiler was manufactured in March 2008.

How old is my Vokera boiler?

Find your serial number on a silver data plate on the underside of the boiler. The serial number will contain sixteen digits and one letter. The first eight digits refer to the boiler model whilst the letter, and the subsequent numbers, refer to the year, month and day the boiler was manufactured. Note that the serial number will never start with the number sequence 235. This number is the boiler’s bar code, not the serial number.

Also Read –

• How does a Thermostat work?
• Is the Boiler Cover the same as the Central heating Cover
• Do I Need to Buy a Boiler Cover for Brand brand-new Boiler
• All You Need to Know About Buying Boiler Insurance in the UK
• How to Fit a New Radiator

Making sure your central heating is working efficiently is essential for your comfort AND your pocket. Not sure whether you can tackle fitting a new radiator yourself, or would rather sit back and get a plumber in?

Here are some simple steps for a successful installation to help you decide whether this is one for you or the professionals.

Replacing a radiator isn’t too difficult provided you follow these instructions to avoid any issues to your system and messy water damage.

  Should I get a new radiator?

The performance of radiators declines over time, and wear and tear is unavoidable. If you start to notice uneven heat distribution, or lack of heat entirely, it’s likely time to change.

You may also want a replacement due to:

• Rust, corrosion or blockages that can’t be fixed

• No longer efficient versus to newer ones on the market

• To comply with safety regulations

• Cosmetic/improving visuals and design of room

• To improve water and heat efficiency

Replacing the same size radiator

The easiest way is a like-for-like replacement; meaning finding one that is the same size as your old one.

To find the same size replacement, make sure you measure using the ‘pipe centre’ number. That’s the distance between the two valves on each end. Measuring along the top of your radiator will not give you an accurate reading of the its size.

Also pay attention to the depth to avoid any issues connecting it to the pipes.

Before you get started, check the walls first for any cracks or crumbling plaster as you may need to make repairs before you fit your new radiator. If the wall is solid masonry, you’ll have a wider choice of replacement radiators to choose from than if it’s plasterboard.

Replacing a different size radiator

If you want to change the size or style,  you’ll need to reorient your new valves. You need to be sure someone knows what they’re doing – it’s best to get a plumber to do this.

What do I need to remove a radiator?

• Spirit level

• Radiator key

• Pipe cutter

• Adjustable pipe wrench

• Adjustable spanner x 2

• Tape measure

• Bucket

• Dust sheet

• Pipe tape

• Screwdriver

• Drip tray

How do I remove a radiator?

1. Turn off the water supply

The first thing you need to do is turn off your central heating and water supply. Make it has completely cooled down before you do anything else.

2. Close the valves

Then, you need to isolate your radiator by closing off the valves located at both ends.

At one end, you will have your manual control valve or a thermostatic valve. Turn this clockwise until it it’s zero or off.

At the other end will be your lock-shield valve. Pull off the plastic cover and turn the square shaft clockwise with an adjustable spanner. Note down how many turns you made, so that you can reset the new radiator at the same flow rate after you’ve fixed it and need to re-open this valve.

3. Drain the radiator

Next, release all the water out of your radiator . You will find a connection at either end of your radiator – this one looks like a nut. Place a bowl and towel down underneath it, ready to catch the water.

Using a spanner, turn the nut away from you a little to loosen it. You may need to hold the body of the valve with a second spanner or pipe wrench to stop it turning and buckling the pipe.

Use a radiator key on the top edge of the radiator, to slowly vent any trapped air out of it. When the tray is almost full, re-tighten the swivel nut and empty the tray into a bucket.Use an old rag, cloth or towel to catch any drips from the valve and stop them falling on your flooring.

Continue draining the water until the flow of water stops.

4. Remove the radiator

Once all the water has drained out, remove it from the wall. You might need to pull the pipes out slightly at the sides before lifting it up. Radiators can be hefty so you may need a hand. Lift the radiator from its brackets and tilt to drain any remaining water. The water may be dirty, so place the radiator on old towels or sheets.

It’s likely that the existing brackets aren’t compatible with the new brackets, so you’ll need to unscrew these.

How do I fit a new radiator?

1. Fit new brackets

Check what’s behind the wall with a digital detector first before drilling into the wall to avoid any nasty surprises. Always measure up according to the manufacturers instructions when fitting the brackets.

2. Tape and install valves

Before you attach your radiator to the wall, wrap 20cm plumbing tape around each valve thread. Open the valves fully to allow it ti full with water from the central heating system.

3. Fit the radiator

Fix your radiator to the brackets, checking that it’s hanging straight before tightening the fittings. This is best done as a two person job.

4. Close the bleed valve and reconnect the water piping and valves

Do this before you switch on your water supply. Once it’s stopped ‘gurgling’ and is full, open the lockshield valve by the same amount of turns as you needed to close it earlier.

5. Do final checks

Check all the joints and sealings are dry and waterproof. Tighten if necessary and then you can turn on your central heating system back on.

Finally, perform last checks to ensure no water is leaking out and that the radiator is evenly getting hot.

Boiler Cover – How to choose the right boiler cover for you?

It’s really important to ensure your boiler, central heating, plumbing and drains remain in top working order all year round. We’ve made it our mission to help you do just that by offering a range of home maintenance cover plans to suit your needs, including a boiler cover. If you’d like to know how to choose the right boiler cover, read on. 

In any case, A boiler cover is a great way to guarantee you avoid unexpected repair costs and the discomfort created by a broken boiler. Hence to support that, our boiler covers provide maintenance services delivered by Gas Safe™ engineers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (yes, even on Christmas Day!) Generally, an emergency boiler cover is perfect for landlords and property owners who are responsible for dealing with boiler-related issues.  

If you’d like to choose the right cover for you, firstly think about your boiler’s current performance and your property’s needs; as a starting point, do you need cover for any of the following areas: 

• Boiler and controls 
• Gas central heating 
• Plumbing 
• Electrics 
• Drainage 

If you only want to protect your boiler, choose boiler cover. In addition, If you need help with any of the other areas, choose a home maintenance cover. 

To round up your plan, you can select a few add-ons so you can be sure you’ve got the right cover for your home: 

• Gas-fire 
• White goods 
• Cooker  

You can also consider a few other factors to help you choose a suitable cover. 

Boiler Age 

For any electrical or electronic appliance, aging is an essential factor to consider and the device’s functionality depends on the period of operation. If your boiler is seven years old or newer, go for a standard plan. If your boiler is older, it’s much safer to go with a more premium cover which includes a boiler replacement if needed and offers complete peace of mind when it comes to protecting your home in an emergency. 

Call-out or Service Requests Limit 

Most covers have a limit on the maximum number of call-out requests you can place in a specific time duration. furthermore, always opt for a service provider with the highest number of call-out requests. The good news is that here at PlusHeat, you’ve got unlimited callouts included in all of the plans! 

Additional Charges 

Apart from covering expenses, some providers might charge you an additional fee. Consider any additional charges before choosing your plan. Make sure to read and agree with the terms and conditions and the inclusions in your plan before making your choice. 

Boiler Type

Boiler cover providers extend coverage for all categories of boilers since the typical boiler categories are conventional gas boilers, biomass boilers, wood pellet boilers, and condensing boilers. Combi boiler is another boiler variant that is quite sophisticated in operation and functionality. If you’re interested in knowing more about us, we cover both gas and electric boilers. 

However, We understand there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to boiler cover; that’s why we offer fully customisable plans to suit the needs of your boiler and home. 

 Moreover,  Everything we do is based on the five core elements of our  Promise. Whether you are a homeowner, landlord or even an estate agent, you can be safe in the knowledge that you will experience the very best service around, – no exception. We let our reviews do the talking 😊 

Has your boiler started making a rattling, humming, vibrating, gurgling, banging or other strange noise recently? There are times when a noisy boiler is a cause for concern, so you must identify the root before it escalates into a more serious problem.

Why is my boiler making a rattling noise?

There are two main causes of a rattling boiler:

1. Excess air in the system. You can get rid of it by bleeding your radiators and, as this is a simple thing to do, you won’t need to call an engineer.

2. Loose screws or components that rattle when the unit is in use. Unclipped pipe work is often the cause of this kind of noise. Try locating the source of the sound, and simply tighten any loose valves.

If you’ve checked the other possible sources and can’t find the culprit, you’ll need an engineer call-out.

Why is my boiler making a humming noise?

Boiler pumps make humming noises as they operate, so it’s important to check this isn’t just its normal operating noise level.

Your boiler might be humming because…

•  A blocked flue. It’s not uncommon for this to happen, with leaves, feathers and other debris building up over time. If you place your hand near the vent, you should be able to detect a certain amount of air movement. Check this first, as it might be an easy fix.

• The pump needs cleaning. There may be a limescale or sludge build-up.

• It can be a malfunctioning pump moving around too much inside the casing, or moving too quickly.

• The pressure is too high.

• It may need a service. Having a regular boiler service can go a long way in keeping your home life running smoothly and avoiding unnecessary disturbances to your daily routine.

A boiler engineer should examine humming noises. If there are issues with a boiler pump or fan, a qualified professional must remove the casing.

Why is my boiler making a vibrating noise?

Check the pump; it should be warm, but not hot. If it’s hot to touch, there’s likely a seized component causing your boiler to vibrate. The pump could also be improperly set, such as having it set too high.

High pressure could be the culprit. Use the pressure gauge at the front of the boiler. It should be under 1.5 bar when radiators are cold. If it isn’t, you may need to reduce some of the water in the system. A rapid rise in pressure up to 3 bar indicates a fault, which a heating engineer should look at.

Excess sludge buildup can also cause a vibrating boiler. This is potentially dangerous as it can cause overheating. You should recruit the help of a qualified engineer.

Why is my boiler making a gurgling noise?

Gurgling noises typically happen because trapped air is present, and you can easily resolve them by bleeding radiators.

It could also be down to low water pressure, lack of water in the header tank or a frozen condensate pipe.

Why is my boiler making a banging noise?

Your boiler repeatedly heats cold water, and the expansion and contraction can cause banging noises.

If you hear the banging sound a few minutes after turning on the boiler or using hot water, airlocks in the central heating system could be the cause. Lots of pump manufacturers fit bleed screws to their pumps, where you can release the air.

Low water flow and a loss of boiler pressure could also contribute to the problems your noisy boiler is experiencing.

Banging can also be caused by a boiler that’s overheating the water. Sometimes this can occur when limescale has built up on the heat exchanger or it could just be that your boiler is set to the wrong temperature because of a faulty thermostat.

Boilers are expensive. Expensive to install, costly to repair, and expensive to replace. Even minor faults can cost you in the hundreds to get fixed.

Boilers tend to catch people off-guard by breaking down out of the blue. According to a study by Which?, four out of 10 boilers need to be repaired within the first six years of operation. The result can be painful and expensive, not to mention leave you and your loved ones in the cold.

Since over half of the money spent on your energy bills comes from your boiler, it’s essential to look after it as well as you can. That’s where the boiler cover comes in…

Who needs boiler cover?

You only need boiler cover if you own the property. If you rent, it’s your landlord’s responsibility. If you’ve recently installed a new boiler, you probably won’t need cover yet as it should be protected by the manufacturer’s warranty.

Why should you consider boiler cover? 

• Avoid BIG, unexpected costs when things go wrong. If unexpectedly needing to fork out hundreds or even thousands for a boiler repair or replacement would hurt you financially, boiler cover is recommended.
• Peace of mind. Sleep easy knowing that your property and your loved ones within it are covered, especially if you or anyone in your household would be considered vulnerable and prioritised if you were left without heating.
• Convenience. We all have busy lives. The last thing you want when faced with a stressful home emergency is to spend hours trying to find a trusted, skilled, qualified and reliable engineer who’s local to you with available.
• With boiler cover, you’ll leave all of that to the professionals. Companies like PlusHeat do all of the vetting for you, so you can rest assured that any engineer sent to your property is appropriately qualified to carry out the work.

Things to look out for when considering boiler cover

• Does it include an annual boiler service? Sometimes you’ll need to pay extra for this.
• Is there a limit to how many callouts you can have within a year?
• Do you need to pay an excess every time you call out? Sometimes you’ll have a no-excess option, but it will generally be more expensive monthly or yearly.
• If your boiler is found to be beyond economical repair, you will still usually need to cover the cost of a replacement. However, some plans will contribute towards the replacement, so it’s best to check this.
• Most plans won’t cover boilers for more than seven years. If yours is much older, you may want to consider comparing the cost of the cover to buying a new boiler.

Considering investing in a new boiler? One of the main questions you might have is how long it will take to install.

It totally depends on the complexity of the job and the amount of labour needed, so this article gives examples of various scenarios to help you organise your time and manage expectations.

Like-for-like swap in the same location

Replacing your current system with the same type of boiler is the fastest installation as it requires minimal change. It usually won’t take more than a day to complete.

Moving your boiler

The further away you install your new boiler, the longer the installation is likely to take. The engineer may need to change existing pipework which could add another day to your installation.

System upgrade

Most homeowners will opt for a newer, more efficient type – switching from a regular boiler to a combi boiler for example.

This kind of change can take much longer though, up to 3 days or even more depending on the complexity. However, don’t let this put you off making the switch. Choosing a suitable boiler for your needs can save you money in the long run by cutting down your annual energy bills.

Add-ons and other considerations

• Smart meters and thermostats are becoming increasingly popular, allowing you to control your heating from your phone.
• Getting a system Powerflush can help to ensure your system functions efficiently. The process is highly effective at getting rid of sludge, debris and rust, but can take up to 5 hours.
• If you have an older system, the pipework might not be suitable and will need to be changed. This could take the engineer a good few extra hours.

https://www.plusheat.co.uk/news/

These reviews are based on the experiences of thousands of real consumers that have been collected and analysed by Which? experts, so you can be confident in our recommendations. https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/boilers